Editorial Guidelines

VALVE Magazine is the quarterly, 4-color magazine published by the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA), located in Washington, DC. Out of the total circulation of 21,000, the majority are users, buyers, specifiers and distributors of valves, actuators and controls; valve manufacturers and suppliers also receive the magazine. In addition to the print circulation, thousands of industry professionals see the editorial content via pass-along copies, the archived digital version at VALVEmagazine-digital.com and on VALVEmagazine.com. Added together, more than 65,000 people around the world have access to the magazine. In addition, VMA publishes editorial content exclusive to the magazine’s website.

VALVE Magazine’s purpose is to:

Inform and educate the buyers, users and distributors of industrial valves, actuators, and related products about these products and their selection, application and maintenance

Address issues or concerns affecting the flow control industry and its customers

Create and maintain a positive public image for the U.S. and Canadian flow control industry

Introduce the interested lay reader to the valve industry

Support and enhance the activities and services of VMA.

The editorial content of VALVE Magazine is determined solely by the judgment and discretion of the editors, who periodically consult with an Editorial Review Board and industry members. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the article authors and do not reflect or represent official policy of VMA unless specifically stated. Authors’ affiliations are clearly identified.

VALVE Magazine AudienceA large portion of the magazine’s readers are mid-to upper-level managers who have the authority to purchase or influence the purchase of valves, actuators, controls and related products and services. These readers tend to have a broad or unspecialized technical or engineering background. Their level of experience, particularly with regard to the selection and use of valves and actuators, is likely to vary widely. VALVE Magazine strives to provide articles that are at a technical level to interest and inform the experienced user/specifier and are comprehensible to the sophisticated lay reader. However, with so many newcomers to the industry, the publishers have developed a “Back to Basics” series, designed to provide an overview of various valves and actuators and a series called “Where Valves are Used” that covers end-user industries. Each issue of the magazine includes a mix of technical articles, practical applications, problem-solving examples, product and application primers for beginners, and issue-oriented features.

Preference for all articles, columns and Web content is given to publishing information provided by VMA and VRC (Valve Repair Council) member companies. In addition, we welcome articles from end-users and AEC/EPC companies.

Feature ArticlesFeature articles should be approximately 1,750 to 2,000 words and should have a title, introduction, body, conclusion, and where appropriate, references. Please do not prepare and submit a feature article without first discussing your idea with an editor.

Departments/ColumnsIn addition to technical feature articles, VALVE Magazine includes departments and columns that offer a variety of news, product information, insight and opinion on all subjects of interest to the industry. Contributions are encouraged, though due to space limitations, the editors cannot guarantee placement.

Industry Capsules—Short items about VMA member companies (U.S. and Canadian manufacturers, distributors and suppliers) and their employees, including topics such as plant openings, contracts awarded, new or expanded services, mergers and acquisitions, and other items of interest to the industry. Additionally, this section covers association activities, trends, market updates and other newsworthy events.

Editor’s Picks—The editor selects and reports on the latest valves, actuators and controls, as well as other products, tools, equipment and software used in process control and plant operations.

Beyond Valves—Understanding how valves and actuators work involves understanding the numerous products that are used to make them, as well as other parts of the flow control system where valves are employed. This column is typically written by industry suppliers.

Maintenance & Repair—Issues of interest to end users wishing to keep their products performing efficiently and topics relating to valve testing, maintenance, service and repair. This column is usually written by members of the Valve Repair Council.

The Distributor Channel—The companies that distribute valves to end users are a vital partner in the valve chain. The magazine highlights issues of concern in this area and reports on what some distributors are doing.

Standards—A vital part of understanding how the industry work is understanding the guidelines companies follow. New and established standards and guidelines are addressed.

Water Works—Items of interest for the fresh and wastewater industry including recent innovations that affect performance and enhance efficiency such as fabrication techniques and improved materials. Market development and environmental concerns are also covered.

Education & Training—One of the most challenging issues in industry today is how to attract the talent and skills needed to fill today’s positions and careers. This column provides tips and reports on what’s happening.

Web FeaturesIn addition to the print version, VALVEmagazine.com includes articles in the following areas:

Technical Issues & Challenges

Association News

Trends & Forecasts

Manufacturing

Business & Management

End-User Industries

Regulations & Guidelines

Interviews

These articles, while they do not appear in the print version, get an even wider audience as the website is seen by approximately 150,000 unique visitors annually. The articles that appear online also stay before the public eye for many years.

Typical word length for a Web feature ranges from 800 to 1,800 words with 2-4 images.

Brief extensions may be granted by the editor, but articles that are not submitted by the agreed-upon date may be pulled from the scheduled issue, and future publication will depend on space availability.

Reprints/Distribution RightsAuthors or other interested parties may contact the VMA to purchase 4-color professional reprints or an electronic PDF file of any Valve Magazine article. Reprints make excellent, cost-effective marketing and educational tools. (Please contact Michelle Wandres, art/production director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Original Non-Infringing WorksAuthors represent that the articles, artwork and photos they submit are original and/or created by the author and do not infringe upon any intellectual property or other rights of a third party.

Papers from Conference ProceedingsPapers presented at industry meetings or conferences will be considered for publication. Credit will be given to the organization where the paper was presented. The author is requested to obtain clearance for publication from the related organization.

Previously Published ArticlesThe magazine generally does not publish papers or articles that have appeared in other publications. The editor must be notified of prior publication as well as any other places an article might appear.

Use of Trade/Company NamesAvoid the use of trade names, company names and proprietary names. Any exceptions to this rule should be brought to the editor’s attention PRIOR to submission of the article. VALVE Magazine reserves the right to modify or reject any articles that it deems to be “advertorial” or promotional in nature. When use of a trade name is determined by the editors to be essential to an article, the author must verify that spelling and applications described for the trade product are accurate. Failure to do so may also be cause for complete rejection of the article or delay for rewrite.

Text FormatFeature articles should be submitted as a Word document and may be sent to the editor as an email attachment. If you want to embed photos in the article to show where they should be positioned, this is permissible—as long as you also submit them as separate files. (See below.)

Artwork/PhotosAll digitally submitted artwork should be a minimum of 5 x 7 inches, 300 dpi, preferably saved as a .jpg level 7 (Quality High). Formats accepted include Photoshop .tif, .jpg, or .eps; or Illustrator .eps or .ai. Do not submit .gif files, and if you embed pictures in Word files, they must also be sent as separate files in order to reproduce correctly. Please send all items via email or express mail (for hard copies). If your graphic documents are too large to email, please send a link to a dropbox or contact the editors, who can arrange for a dropbox. Also, be sure to identify what is being illustrated or shown in each file. Artwork provided should include at least one four-color shot suitable for “opening” the layout. Include captions for charts, graphs and photos with the submission of the artwork. Visuals must be “camera-ready” quality or supplied in a program that can be opened by VMA’s Art Director. If you have questions about suitable formats or programs, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 703-680-9231. Art and photos sent by mail will be retained by VALVE Magazine unless return is requested by contributors.

Author Bio/Contact DataCurrent biographical data MUST be submitted for each author of an article, complete with contact information (title, company name, address, phone, email and website address). VALVE Magazine may publish contact information so that readers can directly contact authors for further information.

Reference/Quotation Source ListA reference list should cite all document titles, volume, and issue numbers and page numbers. A quotation source list should include names, titles, company names and phone numbers, and email addresses for individuals quoted.

Editorial ReviewAll articles are subject to review by VALVE Magazine’s Editorial Review Board and must comply with the magazine’s established Editorial Review Policy.

Liability VALVE Magazine is not legally responsible or otherwise liable for the contents of any published articles.

Direct all submissions and questions about feature articles and columns to:

Judy Tibbs, Editor-in-Chief This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 804-639-1365

Kate Kunkel, Senior/Web Editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 647-963-1957

Genilee Parente, Managing Editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 703-680-9231

To submit a new product release or industry news for editorial consideration, contact:

Chris Guy, Assistant Editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 571-274-5224